APRIL 3, 2025
THE VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR. CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
District One:
KELLY KAIAMA GOODWIN
RHONDA MORRISON
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
JIM SEAMAN
District Two:
ANGIE DAVIS
District Three:
DEIDRA SHELL
District Four:
RANDY MARTIN
District Five:
SHAD STEWART
District Six:
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR.
District Seven:
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
District Eight:
CANDACE BLACK
Fort Johnson Garrison Commander:
Col. Clifton J. Lopez
ABSENT:
Jackie Self, District 1/6
There was also present Mr. James Williams, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by: SHAD STEWART
Pastor Mike Crysel
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by: SHAD STEWART
Item #1: Approval of March 11, 2025 Minutes
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2025 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Item #2: Advertise for Janitorial/Cafeteria Supplies
On motion of Deidra Shell, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to advertise for janitorial/cafeteria supplies.
Item #3: Advertise for Bread, Milk, and Juice
On motion of Rhonda Morrison, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to advertise for bread, milk, and juice.
Item #4: Motion to approve change order for Ward 7 construction
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to approve the change order presented at the March 11th board meeting. There was one nay vote by Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
Item #5: Imagination Library Reading Program
Curriculum Supervisor, Anne Smith introduced Luke Brandon and Wendy Lentz, representing Merchants & Farmers Bank as sponsors for the Imagination Library Reading Program (the Dolly Pardon book club for children). This program is for birth to 5 year olds. The program is also sponsored by the Rapides Foundation.
Item #6: Head Start Policy/Procedure Update
Head Start Director, Curtis Clay and Coordinator, Cheree Atkins gave an update on the Vernon Parish Head Start & Birth to Five Summary of enrollment and attendance, health services, fiscal amounts, etc.
Mr. Clay requested that the following items be added to the Tuesday, 4-8-25 meeting for approval: VPHS/VPEHS Dental Exams/Services, VPHS/VPEHS Physical Exams/Services, VPHS/VPEHS TTA Plans, and the new VPHS calendar. On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to add to the April 8th meeting for approval.
Item #7: Special Olympics Update
Director of Special Education, Leslie Ortiz gave an update on the Special Olympics held at LHS last Tuesday, 4-1-25. Mrs. Ortiz thanked everyone who helped with the program
Item #8: Discussion of 2025-2026 School Calendar
Personnel Director, Joseph Bartz informed the Board that the Hybrid Calendar B has been chosen for the 2025-2026 school year and asked that this item be added to the Tuesday meeting for approval. On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Deidra Shell, the Board voted to add to the 4-8-25 meeting for approval. There was also one nay vote by Vernon L. Travis, Jr.
Item #9: Discussion of Athletic Select and Non Select Attendance Zones
Personnel/ Athletic Director, Joseph Bartz informed the Board on the following policy:
FILE; JBCC Athletic Select and Non Select Attendance Zones opened to close. On motion of Shad Stewart, seconded by Kelly Goodwin, the Board voted to accept the change from open enrollment to close enrollment.
Item #10: Report from Salary/Personnel Committee
Salary/Personnel Chairperson, Kelly Goodwin reported to the Board on the discussion during the 9:30 salary/personnel meeting. Ms. Goodwin reported that Personnel Director, Joseph Bartz discussed the following:
1. April, 2026 personnel changes
2. Mr. Bartz explained his procedure for interviewing applicants
3. Calendar B Hybrid chosen by votes for the 2025-2026 school calendar and presented to the Board for approval on 4-8-25
4. Intent to return lists completed and returning sabbatical position letters will be mailed shortly.
Item # 11: Superintendents Remarks
Superintendent James Williams welcomed the Board Members, Col Lopez, and visitors to the meeting. Mr. Williams asked Col. Lopez for an update of Fort Johnson events.
Col. Lopez discussed the following:
1. Education Summit held at Fort Johnson was a great success.
2. Possible changes due to presidential orders and will provide VPSB updates
3. 310 has returned to Fort Johnson
Superintendent Williams reminded the Board of the Academic Banquet to be held on
April 28th at the East Leesville Baptist Church Family Life Center beginning at 6:00 PM.
He also commented on the school calendar and savings predicted.
A special thanks to all who set up the Special Education Olympics and the participants.
The LSBA Capitol Conference will be held Wednesday, April 30th in Baton Rouge.
The National School Safety Conference will be held June 25-27 in St Louis, MO.
tem #12: Memorial Resolutions
On motion of Vernon L Travis, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Bernice Riley Miller who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Miller was an East Leesville Elementary retired cook; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Miller was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial be sent to her family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Vernon L. Travis, Jr., seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Jonathan L. Crowell who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Crowells brother is Carl A. Crowell, former custodian at East Leesville Elementary, Kenneth Crowell, former custodian, sister-in-law, Sharon Crowell, retired Special Education Para at Vernon Middle School and;
WHEREAS, Mr. Crowell was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial be sent to his family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Candace Black, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the
following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Rosalie Mary Allain who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Ms. Allains daughter is Stephanie Sanders, former Head Start teacher, daughter-in-law Carla Allain, Simpson High School nurse, and daughter-in-la Mandy Allain, former SpEd para; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Allain was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial be sent to her family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Jim Seaman, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Wayne Grant Duke who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Duke was a retired VPSB bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Duke was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial be sent to his family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Angie Davis, seconded by the Board, the Board voted to adopt the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their sympathy to the family of Venton Royce Coburn who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coburn was a retired VPSB teacher, basketball coach, baseball coach, Assistant Principal and Principal; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to acknowledge family members employed by the Vernon Parish School System: Mr. Coburns wife is Glenda Coburn, also a previous VPSB teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coburn was a resident of Vernon Parish; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial be sent to his family at this time of sadness.
Item #13: Adjournment
There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.
Authorized Officer
VERNON L. TRAVIS, JR., PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
JAMES WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT
11222171 4/16/25 ($163.04)